Hiking may be a bit of an exaggeration, as Wilmington, NC, is in the coastal plain with not a whole lot of variation in altitude or grade. Nonetheless, the trails listed below provide the best options to immerse yourself in nature and admire the coastal scenery.
Wilmington, NC, is where I call home, and I love sharing ways for others to experience its natural beauty. If hiking is one of many activities you would like to add to your Wilmington itinerary, then I suggest checking out my 11 Best Things To Do in Wilmington, NC for a comprehensive guide to amazing things to do in the area.
Best Hiking Trails Near Wilmington, NC
1. Ev Henwood
Distance from downtown Wilmington: 12 miles ~20 minutes
174 acres full of trails and preserved natural areas featuring a field, pond, swamps, woods, and the Town Creek with large Cypress trees. This is one of the most immersive trail systems in Wilmington, where you will truly feel like you are deep in nature.
- Nature Preserve Loop 1.7 miles
- The nature preserve loop is one big loop with a bunch of little trails intertwined within. I suggest utilizing all trails if you want a specific route, as the trails can be confusing.
Make sure to get a glimpse of the huge Cypress tree, Old Gus! Based on its size, this tree could be up to 2,000 years old, which is mind-boggling!
2. Carolina Beach State Park
Distance from downtown Wilmington: 14 miles ~30 minutes
Carolina Beach State Park is a true gem in the Wilmington area that is full of some of the best hiking near Wilmington NC! I am always blown away by the beauty of this park. If you go at the right time, you will also find Venus flytraps!
Nine trails make up 9 miles of walking paths to explore the beautiful scenery of the state park. My favorite trails include:
- Fly Trap Trail 0.5-mile trail
- The best time to see fly traps is from May to August. This is a unique experience in coastal North Carolina that is a fun way to spot the native wildlife.
- Sugarloaf Trail 2.9-mile loop
- Not only is the 50-foot Sugarloaf Dune a unique geological feature, but it was also a pivotal landmark for Native Americans and soldiers during the Civil War.
- Sand Live Oak Trail 1.5 mile
- This is a beautiful hike that takes you through different terrains, including the sand dune forest and along the Cape Fear River. The Sand Live Oak Trail also connects to the Sugarloaf, which can add another 3 miles to the hike!
Use my guide to plan a perfect Carolina Beach vacation to learn about all of the unique activities and attractions that make Carolina Beach fun for the whole family!
3. Fort Fisher
Distance from downtown Wilmington: 20 miles ~38 minutes
Fort Fisher is another iconic state park with a unique hiking option near Wilmington, NC! You could truly make a day out of visiting Fort Fisher with the beautiful cascading live oak trees, the historic Civil War fort and museum, and the off-roading beach. If you are only visiting for the trails, then I suggest checking out the Basin Trail (Hermit Trail)!
- Basin Trail (Hermit Trail) 2.2-mile out-and-back
- The hermit trail is a perfect mix of marshes, boardwalks, and a strip on the actual beach. Make sure to stop by the World War II bunker where the famous “Fort Fisher Hermit” resided for 17 years and was mysteriously murdered.
For more activities, check out my guide to planning a perfect beach vacation in Fort Fisher and Kure Beach.
4. Piney Ridge Nature Preserve
Distance from downtown Wilmington: 4 miles ~10 minutes
- Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden Path .5 miles
- So this is a VERY short trail, but it is also one of the coolest in Wilmington due to its abundance of Venus flytraps. Did you know that Venus flytraps only grow within a 75-mile radius of Wilmington?
Even though this option is more of a nature walk, I wanted to include it because Venus flytraps are so special to coastal NC. This carnivorous plant garden was established by Stanley Rehder, who started this flourishing garden with his collection of fly traps.
5. Brunswick Nature Park
Distance from downtown Wilmington: 10 miles ~15 minutes
Located further away from Wilmington in Brunswick County. The Brunswick Nature Park is home to 911 acres of undeveloped land in Leland. With miles of trails offering long-leaf pine forests, wetlands, and opportunities to spot wildlife, this is one of the best options for hiking near Wilmington, NC.
- Brunswick Nature Trail 4.8-mile loop trail
- Great trail to admire the coastal scenery with a mix of marshes, river views, and woody forests.
- Gator Trail 1.2 miles
- Shorter loop trail with views of the water.
- Long Leaf Trail .6 miles
- Very short loop trail through the longleaf forest.
Note: trails are not marked very well, and are also used by bikers. All trails eventually connect and form a loop, so you can’t get lost, but stay aware and be cautious as bikers come by.
6. Moore’s Creek National Battlefield
Distance from downtown Wilmington: 21 miles ~27 minutes
This is a great option for hiking near Wilmington, NC, for both nature lovers and history buffs! Moore’s Creek Battlefield was a pivotal battle in the American Revolution, where over a thousand patriots defeated roughly 800 loyalists. It was so interesting to walk around and think back to the 1700s when soldiers were fighting on the same piece of land I was walking along.
- History Trail .8 loop trail
- Provides you with views of the battlefield and the old colonial Black River Road.
- Tarheel Trail .4 loop trail
- This trail is dedicated to the longleaf pines, where early settlers used the wood to create tar, pitch, and turpentine.
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Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about the hiking trails in Wilmington, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about hiking in Wilmington, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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